A new head of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival has been elected following the resignation of its former leader.
Councillor Len Ironside will replace Jennifer Stewart and becomes chairman of the board of trustees for the annual festival which celebrates youth dance and performance.
Liberal Democrat councillor, Mrs Stewart, tendered her letter of resignation as chairwoman on August 12 amid concerns over the AIYF’s finances.
She had held the position since 2009.
Mrs Stewart claimed fellow board members were “not taking their responsibility seriously” and that she had made failed attempts to “rein in” spending.
The Hazlehead, Ashley and Queen’s Cross councillor said she had made the decision with “a heavy heart”.
Yesterday, Labour councillor for Kingswells, Sheddocksley and Summerhill, Mr Ironside, said he would ‘continue to build on the success’ of the AIYF.
The AIYF has been running in the city for 42 years.
Mr Ironside said: “Aberdeen City Council is fully committed to working with RGU and the University of Aberdeen to deliver a strong, diverse and varied programme for next year’s international festival.
“Under the direction of Stuart Aitken we will continue to ensure our sponsors get value for money and have an input into the way forward.”
Mr Ironside – one of Aberdeen’s longest serving councillors – added: “This has been one of the most successful cultural festivals over many years and we will continue to build on our 40-year record of success.”
Following her departure, Mrs Stewart claimed finance officials at the local authority have also expressed concern that the board was “not following the public pound”.
She said: “I don’t feel (the board) is operating correctly, I am not suggesting anything underhand has happened.”
Minutes from a board meeting in September last year show that the council’s corporate accounting manager, Jonathan Belford, said trustees receive a number of different finance reports which make it “exceedingly difficult” to be “accurately appraised” of the AIYF’s true financial position.